Episode 85. What’s wrong with you, are you on drugs?(2)

As I spoke, I knew that what I was asking for was nearly impossible. It was the first banquet hosted by the new emperor. To select people at such an event would be akin to suggesting that there were individuals in need of purging under the new emperor’s reign.

However, Julius unexpectedly nodded in agreement.

“Alright.”

The ones who were thrown into an uproar were the other nobles.

“Your Majesty, this is absurd! Allowing the princess to invite whoever she wants!”

“That would be the same as giving her too much power!”

“Please reconsider this!”

Ah, I had only meant to say not to discriminate against people, but I suppose it could be seen as giving me more authority?

‘Well, whatever. I’m basically the power behind the throne right now, so what are they going to do about it?’

Here I am, sitting right behind the emperor, almost like an empress regent ruling from behind the scenes.

‘Wait, now that I think about it, that’s exactly how it looks.’

While the emperor sat on his throne, I was half-reclining on a cushion beside him.

Was this what Julius had intended for me all along? As I was mulling over this, Julius spoke up in a solemn tone amidst the murmurs.

“Now that we’re on the topic of Princess Sienna, there’s something I want to discuss.”

The atmosphere in the room grew tense as Julius began to speak. What he said next was even more shocking than what I had proposed.

“I intend to bestow the name Zulatán upon Princess Sienna.”

“Your Majesty!!”

I was bewildered, but the nobles reacted with an even stronger outcry. Their protests were louder than before.

“That is a title reserved only for direct members of the imperial family!”

“This cannot be allowed!”

Only then did I grasp the situation and nod to myself. The reason Sienna Liata had a different surname from Julius Zulatán was now clear.

Zulatán was a mark indicating someone who could legitimately ascend to the throne, a symbol of imperial bloodline.

Changing my name to Sienna Zulatán would mean officially recognizing me in the line of succession to the throne.

‘Julius, why are you suddenly dropping such a bombshell?’

Now that I understood the situation, my expression probably wasn’t much different from the other nobles. I was just as startled as they were.

In the midst of all the commotion, the only person who remained calm was Julius, who methodically addressed the concerns.

“Have you forgotten that Princess Sienna is now the only remaining member of the imperial family besides me? And why shouldn’t Princess Sienna be considered a direct heir? Her mother was a concubine recognized by the late emperor.”

“That’s…”

When Julius pointed out these facts, the nobles were left speechless. Even they couldn’t find a reason why Sienna had been given a different surname.

Having silenced everyone, Julius made his final declaration.

“Since we’re having a banquet, I’ll announce this matter there.”

* * *

After the grand council meeting ended, as soon as we exited the hall and entered the imperial palace, I grabbed Julius by the hem of his robe and demanded an explanation.

“Hey, what’s gotten into you? Did you take some strange medicine?”

At my angry outburst, Julius raised an eyebrow and let out a small laugh.

“What do you mean? Are you not even going to use formal speech with me anymore?”

“Do I look like I’m in a state to use formal speech right now?”

Lately, he had been acting strangely, but now he wanted to place me in the line of succession? Julius seemed to have completely lost his mind.

‘Is he planning to tie me to the palace for good?’

I pressed him with a quick voice, “I don’t need to be placed in the line of succession. I’m not asking for that. Besides, once I marry Percy, I’ll become Sienna Stewart, so why bother changing my surname for such a short time?”

At the mention of me marrying Percy, Julius flinched. Then, as if he didn’t want to continue the conversation, he turned his head slightly and responded.

“Still, the name carries a certain symbolism.”

“Others won’t see it that way. They’ll think I pushed you to do this because I’m greedy for the throne.”

As if that’s what I want—some symbolic title that doesn’t even matter. When I retorted with frustration, Julius raised his eyebrow again, looking at me as if I were something curious. In a somewhat sarcastic tone, I questioned him back.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No reason, I’m just surprised you’re making such a reasonable argument.”

“What do you even think of me?”

Julius always seems to see me as the most peculiar person. I puffed out my cheeks like a fish, and Julius, smiling faintly, murmured.

“Indeed. What have I been seeing in you?”

“….”

His words left a lingering, strange feeling. I found myself clamping my mouth shut. Whenever Julius acted like this, it made me feel uneasy.

‘It’s like he’s acting all sentimental, like a lover who can’t move on.’

Just as I furrowed my brow in discomfort, Julius changed both his expression and the topic.

“Speaking of which, why did you suddenly insist on only inviting the people you wanted? Is there someone you’re uncomfortable with?”

“Of course. You know who.”

“Daniel Bohan?”

He hit the nail on the head. I shrugged my shoulders. Seeing me trying to play it off, Julius sighed through his nose and shook his head.

“I heard he’s engaged to someone new. I don’t see why it would bother you.”

“That’s why you’re still single, Julius. You should start dating.”

Of course, I’d be uncomfortable around an ex-fiancé who I didn’t part with on good terms. Julius, as usual, seemed unable to grasp these subtle emotions. Scratching my head, I turned abruptly.

“Agh, I should just take a nap.”

If I followed Julius, I’d end up stuck in his office, and I didn’t want to spend my free time there. But as I turned away, Julius grabbed my wrist tightly.

“Where are you going?”

As if he didn’t know. I responded in a more formal tone.

“The council meeting is over, so I’m returning to my quarters.”

“No, come here.”

With a gesture from Julius, the door to the office opened, revealing another mountain of documents.

‘Why are those there? They weren’t there earlier!’

As I gaped in disbelief, Julius shrugged and explained.

“I haven’t done any work today. Where do you think you’re going?”

“Agh!!”

So, this was about work!

* * *

Percy Stewart was not in a good mood as he attended the council meeting. The only thing that brightened his day was the prospect of seeing Sienna’s face.

‘It’s hard to even catch a glimpse of her these days since His Majesty has kept her so well hidden.’

Ever since Sienna had gone to the imperial palace to assist the emperor, the only time he’d been able to see her was when she had rushed out to meet him that one day.

But aside from Sienna, everything else had been nothing but an annoyance. What irritated him the most was the escape of Beth, whom he had attempted to detain.

‘I underestimated the situation. I thought my knights would never betray my orders.’

The knight who had helped Beth escape kept repeating the same words as if he had been brainwashed.

— I do not regret it in the slightest. I upheld my chivalry.

It seemed connected to whatever had suddenly changed in Daniel. Percy sighed as his gaze fell on Daniel Bohan, who had also attended the council meeting. It was surprising to see him here, as he usually stayed out of public view.

To Percy, even Daniel’s presence was irksome.

‘So, Sir Daniel is here. It must be because *she* asked him to attend.’

Yet, there had been no contact from him—no letter of protest asking why Percy had hidden her, nothing. Percy had a theory about this strange phenomenon.

‘She said she could only speak kind and gentle words. Maybe that’s why.’

Beth had claimed that she could only say kind and gentle things and could not speak words of resentment. It was likely she hadn’t been able to ask Daniel to punish Percy.

‘How ridiculous.’

Percy twisted his lips at the thought. Just then, the chamberlain announced the emperor’s entrance. Percy stood up.

‘Sienna.’

Behind Emperor Julius walked the woman he had longed to see. Her light steps were full of cheer.

‘She seems to be doing well.’

Though he hadn’t wished for her to be miserable, it still stung a little to see her so happy without him. As she took her seat without a care, she turned to look at Percy. Their eyes met, and the slight hurt he had felt evaporated, leaving only affection in its place. Percy clenched his tingling hands into fists.

As he was dismissing thoughts of the emperor’s birthday banquet as unimportant, he suddenly heard Sienna’s name being mentioned. The discussion was about bestowing the surname Zulatán upon Sienna.

With that, the council meeting concluded. As Percy rose to leave, the young Duke Bernardé, who had been sitting beside him, nudged him with his elbow.

“Lucky you, Duke Stewart.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I was wondering why you were so obsessed with that so-called villainess, but I see now. You must have known this would happen. As expected of you, Duke Stewart.”

Despite his young age, the boy’s tone was as mocking as that of a 90-year-old man. Percy’s eyebrows twitched in irritation. At that moment, Count Powell, who had been fervently advising the emperor earlier, chimed in.

“Since His Majesty is still unmarried and has no children, if you and the princess have a child, that child would be second in line to the throne.”

What nonsense. Percy quickly dismissed the speculation in a light tone.

“His Majesty is still very young, and the princess and I have not even married yet. It’s far too early to be talking about such distant possibilities.”